Backwash in Insulin Pen

Kirby3131 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-11-2009, 08:29 AM

I hit a little blood vessel today when I gave myself my insulin this morning and some blood backwashed into my insulin pen. That hasn't happened before - and of course it is Sunday morning and there is no one to call. I am also totally out of new insulin pens and won't be able to get more until late Monday.

I'm wondering if this has ever happened to anyone else. Is the insulin now contaminated and can't be used? I'm terribly confused as to what to do. Any suggestions?

Thanks so much,
Kristin

CountYourselfIn · #2 (**permalink**) 01-11-2009, 08:49 AM

Well.. it's your blood, right?

And since it's in the cartridge, it's probably not being exposed to or breeding bacteria...

And because you NEED it to live...

I'd say it's a small risk til you can get a replacement.

I wish I had some real advice, but I really have no idea.

Sounds like one of those moments you can only appreciate if you're diabetic...

Subby · #3 (**permalink**) 01-11-2009, 08:54 AM

I really could not say if it's going to affect your insulin or somehow be a health hazard. I will say, that in 17 years of injecting, including the old days where I was taught to "redraw" to be sure I had not hit a vein, (outmoded way of "checking" if you hit a vein) I have never once been warned or told this is a problem. That's been quite the handful of educators and doctors, books and websites. My _guess_ is it should be just fine, especially if refrigerated, but I don't _know_ that.

Strange that it happened... there should not be a backwash. it should all be out out out. I assume you saw a cloud in the insulin? To what degree?

Meghann0409 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-11-2009, 08:57 AM

Is it at the top? Can you essentially prime a unit or two and get it out that way?

Kirby3131 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-11-2009, 10:14 AM

It was just a drop of blood - but it quickly swirled around in the insulin and now, a few hours later, the insulin is clear as a bell. If I hadn't have noticed the blood, I would have never known.

I just squirted out 2 units of insulin, but it was clear. I think it is completely mixed with the insulin now.

It is the strangest thing. I don't refridgerate my pens after they have been opened...that's what it says on the box. I'm just going to assume that I'll be fine.

I would have never known if I hadn't glanced at the pen, as I was wiping up the spot of blood on my skin.

I'm just glad that I didn't a ton of resonses all in panic mode! I was a bit worried about that.

Thanks!
Kirby

gigiwong · #6 (**permalink**) 01-11-2009, 10:43 AM

are you sure that the blood is really getting back to the insulin cartridge? coz I thought that the rubber end of the penfill insulin could hardly being pushed back, and hence your body fluid could not flow into the cartridge. (Once I've tried to get the remaining insulin in a penfill cartridge by a syringe, it really takes me an effort to push the rubber end back by injecting some air, so I could withdraw the insulin :P)

though I'm not sure whether my suggestion is right....if i were you, i will just pretend that i never saw that blood drop

jps · #7 (**permalink**) 01-11-2009, 11:36 AM

I don't think I'd worry about it too much, but if it makes you feel better, maybe store the pen with the needle side straight down, vertically. The blood is heavier than the insulin and will settle. Don't mix or shake, be careful, and discard a few units.

Then again, I suspect the pH of the insulin solution is too acidic and will lyse the red cells. Even so, the stroma and iron element of the hemoglobin will be heavier than the insulin and should still settle.

TomB · #8 (**permalink**) 01-11-2009, 06:25 PM

I'm taking Lantus and Humalog by pen. I'd am really, really curious how a pen can develop an internal negative pressure and suck in blood. Maybe by pulling back on the plunger?
As for blood at the injection site, I found that counting to 10 is absolutly required. Letting the pen float in you hand and then pulling it out with a free hold eliminates blood or cuts.
Good Luck, Tom

Subby · #9 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subby

My _guess_ is it should be just fine, especially if refrigerated, but I don't _know_ that.

It's funny when you find out you are probably completely wrong the next day. As my pharmacist mentioned today (I was grilling him about insulin storage) and as this study finds Evaluation of the sterility and stability of insul...[Infect Control. 1985] - PubMed Result it seems established that the antibacterial preservatives in insulin work more effectively when kept at room temperature rather than in the fridge. So it seems another good idea to keep your insulin at room temp to improve its ability to stay sterile and neutralize contamination.